The Paper Kites

The Paper Kites
The Paper Kites in 2012. L–R: David Powys, Sam Bentley, Sam Rasmussen, Christina Lacy, Josh Bentley
Background information
Origin	Melbourne, Australia
Genres	Indie rock folk rock
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Nettwerk Wonderlick
Members	Sam Bentley Christina Lacy David Powys Sam Rasmussen Josh Bentley
Website	thepaperkites.com.au

The Paper Kites are an Australian indie rock/folk rock band from Melbourne. The band was formed in 2009 by lead vocalist/guitarist Sam Bentley and keyboardist/guitarist Christina Lacy. Their 2010 single "Bloom" has been certified Platinum in the United States.^[1] As of 2025, they have released six studio albums and two EPs. Their latest, At the Roadhouse, came out on 1 September 2023.

History

Before the formation of the Paper Kites, the current five members were close friends. In high school, Bentley and Lacy began writing and playing music together, and continued to do so for a few years after high school. They gained some attention by playing in their home town of Melbourne. In 2010, Bentley and Lacy expanded the line adding Sam Rasmussen, David Powys and Josh Bentley to the group.

The Paper Kites playing at Federation Square in Melbourne, January 2013

2010: Career beginnings

The band's first demo recordings were done mostly by Sam Bentley at his home and by Rasmussen at his university. At the request of their friends, they put together and released homemade EPs to sell at their shows in Melbourne.

It was not until they recorded and released their single "Bloom" in 2010 that they began attracting media attention.^[2] The single and video were released online and gradually grew in popularity. Bentley mentioned, "It was a pretty steady progression of word of mouth, friends telling their friends and so on. It wasn't any sort of viral thing, it was a really natural build up of people sharing our music".^[3] Word spread quickly, and live appearances became increasingly well attended. "Bloom" was released by the band, similarly to the first recordings, only available as a hand-made CD singles with a handful of other tracks. Only about 500 "Bloom" singles were made by the band.

2011–2012: Woodland and Young North

The Paper Kites went on to begin writing and recording what would be their first EP, Woodland. They recorded the EP early in 2011 with Tim Johnston, who was one of Rasmussen's university teachers. "Featherstone", was released in June 2011 in advance of the EP.^[4] About the "Featherstone" video, Bentley said, "We always like to get really involved in the videos we make and the people we work with. Our music videos are just further extensions of the song itself, and we always want them to be interesting and engaging. We work pretty closely with our directors." Sam Bentley commented that he felt very lucky for the amount of success "Bloom" and "Featherstone" gained online.^[5] That August their debut EP Woodland was released.

The Paper Kites playing The Palace Theatre in Melbourne, November 2011

In February 2012, the band went on their first headline tour of Australia, playing sold-out shows in small clubs around the country. With the success of Woodland, the band began getting requests for their music on various US television shows, including "Featherstone" being featured in the season 8 finale of Grey's Anatomy.^{[citation needed]}

In April 2012, the band had over 30 unrecorded demos and were ready to start recording a full-length record. However, they decided to hold off making a full-length album and release a second EP instead, feeling that more touring and building on their sound would be beneficial before releasing their debut record. They decided to work with engineer and producer Wayne Connolly, and recorded the five-track EP through June 2012. It was the band's first time working with a producer. Bentley recalled, "Working with Wayne (Connolly) was very different to how we imagined working with a producer would be. He was very patient while at the same time pushed the best performance out of us. He really got inside the songs and knew how to push our sonic ideas". The title of the EP, Young North, came from the titles of two songs that did not make the cut.^{[citation needed]}

The first single, "A Maker of My Time", was released in July and was quickly picked up by Australian alternative station Triple J. The band also collaborated with Sydney director Jefferton James on the video, capturing a one-take improvised performance from Tendai Dzwairo, just east of the town of Mildura. Young North was released in August 2012. The Paper Kites embarked on a 13-date Young North tour of Australia in October. They found that along with progressing their sound and live performance they were attracting bigger crowds and selling out larger rooms.

Following the tour, the band did a small run of shows opening for UK band Bombay Bicycle Club in January 2013.

Drummer Josh Bentley setting up at Sing Sing studios in Melbourne in February 2013, for the first recording session for The Paper Kites' debut album.

2013–2014: States

The Paper Kites began recording their debut full-length album States in February 2013, collaborating once again with producer Wayne Connolly. The album was recorded at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne, and Alberts Studios in Sydney. The 13-track record was cut down from over 40 un-recorded demos.^{[citation needed]}

In August 2013, the band released States and it peaked at number 17 on the ARIA Charts. In October, they made their first trip to America, opening for Canadian band City and Colour on a 13-date tour across the country. States was released in North America on 1 October 2013.

"St Clarity" was the first single released from the record. The music video was directed by acclaimed Australian director Natasha Pincus, starring the French artist Sylvain Letuvée. The second single "Young" was released soon after. The video was directed by Darcy Prendergast, and featured over 4000 portrait photos taken and arranged to make up the video, which was later nominated for Australian Music Video of the Year at the J Awards of 2013.

2015–2017: Twelvefour

The band released their second album Twelvefour on 28 August 2015. The album was recorded in Seattle and produced by Grammy-nominated music producer Phil Ek. The sessions took place across two studios—the Avast Recording Company and Chris Walla's studio Hall of Justice. The record is a concept album written entirely between the hours of midnight and four am. The first single, "Electric Indigo", was released in June with a music video following starring actress Laura Brent and Charles Grounds. "Revelator Eyes", "Renegade" and "Too Late" followed as singles.

Along with the announcement of the album was news of a Twelvefour documentary directed by filmmaker Matthew J Cox that followed the band's creation of the album, which has yet to surface. In January 2017 the band released two outtakes from the Twelvefour sessions on Spotify.

2018–2020: On the Train Ride Home and On the Corner Where You Live

On 18 April 2018, the band released the first of two new albums, On the Train Ride Home, consisting of eight tracks. The album was recorded in Melbourne at Bellbird Studios with Big Scary/#1 Dads Tom Iansek co producing with singer Sam Bentley. The record was a largely acoustic collection and the release was un-announced. A music video for "On the Train Ride Home" was released directed by Drew Wilson in collaboration with Sam Bentley and the pair worked together on a collection of short videos around the record.

Upon the release of On the Train Ride Home the band announced that it would be the first of an intended double album that they had decided to split into two separate records. The follow-up album, On the Corner Where You Live, was released on 21 September 2018 and consisted of 11 tracks. The album was recorded at Tarquin Studios in Connecticut with producer Peter Katis working with the band.

The artwork for both On the Train Ride Home and On the Corner Where You Live were painted by Los Angeles noir artist Gina Higgins, who worked with Bentley on the pieces.

The band also announced they would be releasing a special edition double album. It was released on 21 September 2018 and featured a special edition cover painted by Gina Higgins.

The band embarked on their Where You Live tour on 16 July 2018 playing a 93-show tour, with shows in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The tour concluded on 15 December 2019 in London.^[6][7]

At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, On the Corner Where You Live was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album.^[8]

2021: Roses

In August 2020, the band announced their fifth studio album Roses, a collaborative album of duets. The album features Julia Stone, Lucy Rose, Rosie Carney, Aoife O'Donovan, Nadia Reid, Maro, Amanda Bergman, Ainslie Wills, Lydia Cole and Gena Rose Bruce. The album was released on 12 March 2021.

The song “Without your love” featuring Julia Stone was featured in the American award winning NBC tv series “This is Us”

2022–present: At the Roadhouse

In May 2023, the band's sixth studio album, At the Roadhouse, was announced. The album was recorded in July 2022 in an old diggers store in Campbells Creek, Australia, where the band played the songs to a live audience for free on Friday and Saturday nights, joined by musicians Matt Dixon, Hannah Cameron and Chris Panousakis.^[9] Supported by six singles, At the Roadhouse was released on 1 September 2023. The songs on the 16-track album have been described as indie-folk, folk and folk-rock.^[10][11]

Musical style

The Paper Kites' sound was originally loosely based around folk music. Sam Bentley's fingerstyle guitar sound is a frequent characteristic, along with Lacy's and his voices together, and the band's harmonies. The progression of this sound, along with the band's many musical inspirations, has pushed them into a range of different genres. When asked about their style of music, Bentley has mentioned, "We are whatever we released on the last record". The band is known for switching instruments live and for their ethereal, moody sound.

Members

• Sam Bentley – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2009–present)
• Christina Lacy – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2009–present)
• Josh Bentley – drums, percussion (2010–present)
• David Powys – guitars, banjo, lap steel, backing vocals (2010–present)
• Sam Rasmussen – bass guitar, synthesizers (2010–present)

The Roadhouse Band

• Hannah Cameron – piano, percussion, backing vocals (2023–present)
• Chris Panousakis – guitar, percussion, backing vocals (2023–present)
• Matt Dixon – pedal steel, guitar (2023–present)

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		AUS [12]
States	Released: 1 August 2013 Label: Wonderlick Entertainment, Sony Formats: CD, digital download, streaming	17
Twelvefour	Released: 28 August 2015 Label: Wonderlick Entertainment, Sony Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl	8
On the Train Ride Home	Released: 18 April 2018 Label: Wonderlick Entertainment, Sony Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl	—
On the Corner Where You Live	Released: 21 September 2018 Label: Wonderlick Entertainment, Sony Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl	48
Roses	Released: 12 March 2021 Label: Wonderlick Entertainment, Sony Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl	23
At the Roadhouse	Released: 1 September 2023[9] Label: Wonderlick Entertainment, Sony Formats: CD, digital download, streaming, vinyl	68

Compilations

Title	Album details
Evergreen	Released: 20 April 2024[13] Label: Format: LP (Record Store Day Exclusive) Note: Compilation of Woodland and Young North

Extended plays

Title	EP details
Woodland	Released: August 2011 Label: The Paper Kites Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Young North	Released: August 2012 Label: The Paper Kites Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Singles

Title	Year	Certification	Albums
"Bloom"	2010	BPI: Gold[14] FIMI: Gold[15] IFPI: Gold[16] MC: Platinum[17] RIAA: Platinum[18]	non album single
"Featherstone"[19]	2011		Woodland
"A Maker of My Time"[20]	2012		Young North
"St. Clarity"[21]	2013		States
"Young"[22]
"Tenenbaum"[23]	2014
"Electric Indigo"[24]	2015		Twelvefour
"Revelator Eyes"[25]
"Renegade"[26]	2016
"Too Late"[27]
"Holes" / "Breathing Fighting Love"[nb 1]	2017		Non-album single
"On the Train Ride Home"	2018		On the Train Ride Home
"Deep Burn Blue"[28]			On the Corner Where You Live
"Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain"[29]
"For All You Give" (featuring Lucy Rose)[30]	2020		Roses
"By My Side" (featuring Rosie Carney)[31]
"Without Your Love" (featuring Julia Stone)[32]
"The Sweet Sound of You"[33]	2023		At the Roadhouse
"Till the Flame Turns Blue"[34]
"Hurts So Good"[9]
"Black & Thunder"[35]
"I Don't Want to Go That Way"[36]
"June's Stolen Car"[37]

Notes

1. "Holes" and "Breathing Fighting Love" were released digitally with the title "Twelvefour: Outtakes".

Music videos

Title	Year	Director(s)
"Bloom"	2010	Pete Seamons, Sam Bentley
"Featherstone"	2011
"A Maker of My Time"	2012	The Paper Kites, Jefferton James
"St. Clarity"	2013	Natasha Pincus
"Young"		Darcy Prendergast
"Tenenbaum"	2014	Michael Haydon
"Electric Indigo"	2015	Matthew J Cox
"Revelator Eyes"		Dan Huiting
"Renegade"	2016	Joseph McMahon, Dan Huiting
"Too Late"		Dean Lusk & Sam Bentley
"On the Train Ride Home"	2018	Drew Wilson
"Does It Ever Cross Your Mind"
"Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain"
"For All You Give"	2020
"By My Side"		Drew Wilson
"Without Your Love"		Drew Wilson
"Steal My Heart Away"	2021	Drew Wilson
"The Sweet Sound of You"	2023
"Till the Flame Turns Blue"

• Director information adapted from each video description uploaded in the band's official YouTube account.^[38]

Awards and nominations

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2019	On The Corner Where You Live	Best Adult Contemporary Album	Nominated
2024	At the Roundhouse	Best Blues & Roots Album	Nominated	[39]

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2013	"Young"	Australian Video of the Year	Nominated	[40]

References

1. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
2. "Fed Square Live: The Paper Kites & Vance Joy". Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
3. Theodore, Amy. "The Return of Fed Square Live". Top Shelf Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
4. "The Paper Kites". Moshtix. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
5. Goodfellow, Grace. "INTERVIEW: The Paper Kites". Retrieved 17 March 2013.
6. "The Paper Kites". Thepaperkites.com.au. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
7. "The Paper Kites Announce 2019 'Where You Live' National Tour". Music Feeds. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
8. "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
9. "The Paper Kites Announce New Album; Release New Single "Hurts So Good"". nettwerk. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
10. "The Paper Kites - at the Roadhouse | Reviews". 31 August 2023.
11. "The Paper Kites "At the Roadhouse"". 29 August 2023.
12. "The Paper Kites discography". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
    • At the Roadhouse: "Polaris take pole position". ARIA Charts. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
13. "The Paper Kites - Evergreen Record Store Day 2024 Green LP Vinyl Limited to 2000 copies". Nail City Record. April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
14. "Paper Kites - Bloom". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
15. "Dati della certificazione richiesta". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
16. "The Paper Kites Bloom". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
17. "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
18. "GOLD & PLATINUM". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
19. "The Paper Kites - Featherstone (Official Music Video)". YouTube. May 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
20. "Official Music Video for 'A Maker Of My Time. First single from the 2012 EP 'Young North'". YouTube. August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
21. "The Paper Kites Announce National Tour & New Single 'St Clarity'". Music Feeds. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
22. "The Paper Kites Release New Video 'Young'". Music Feeds. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
23. "The Paper Kites - Tenenbaum (Official Music Video)". YouTube. March 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
24. "The Paper Kites Announce New Album 'Twelvefour'". Music Feeds. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
25. "Watch: The Paper Kites - Revelator Eyes". Pilerats. September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
26. "The Paper Kites Announce National Tour, Unveil Cinematic New 'Renegade' Video". Music Feeds. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
27. "The Paper Kites - Too Late (Official Music Video)". YouTube. December 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
28. "The Paper Kites Unveil New Single 'Deep Burn Blue'". Caesar Liven Loud. July 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
29. "The Paper Kites - Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain [Official Audio]". YouTube. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
30. "For All You Give". Apple Music. August 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
31. "By My Side". Apple Music. September 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
32. "The Paper Kites drop new single 'Without Your Love' featuring Julia Stone". NME. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
33. "The Paper Kites Return with New Single "The Sweet Sound Of You" From Upcoming Roadhouse Project". Nettwork. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
34. "The Paper Kites - Release New Single - "Till The Flame Turns Blue"". Rock 'N' Load. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
35. "The Paper Kites Release Soulful New Single "Black & Thunder"". Shorefire. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
36. "The Paper Kites - I Don't Want To Go That Way (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
37. "The Paper Kites Return With Outlaw Epic "June's Stolen Car"". The Wimn. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
38. "thepaperkitesband". Retrieved 23 November 2019 – via YouTube.
39. "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
40. "The J Award 2013". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2020.

External links

• Official website
• Interview with The Paper Kites on HonestBlue